DARLINGTON will check on the fitness of Liechtenstein international Franz Burgmeier before naming the side to entertain Port Vale on Saturday.

The left-sided midfielder will try and get back for training before Saturday’s game, having played for his country in last night’s World Cup qualifying 0-0 draw in Azerbaijan.

Burgmeier played the full 90 minutes of the Group Four game, in which his side created the better chances but couldn’t break the deadlock.

Burgmeier has faced a lot of travelling over the last week, for last Saturday he was in the side for the 6-0 home defeat to Germany before heading off for Azerbaijan.

It has emerged that he signed for Darlington after impressing chairman George Houghton’s grandson when playing against England.

When Burgmeier later declared his desire to play in England, Darlington director Dave Jones tracked the player down and, with the blessing of Darlington manager Dave Penney, persuaded him to head for The Arena.

He signed last month, and helped set up two of the goals in the 6-0 win at Macclesfield. He was missed last Saturday as Darlington went down 2-1 at Aldershot.